Monday, June 29, 2015

I unfortunately did not read the first book, I was under the impression this is a stand alone. It really isn't I was confused at first because I didn't understand the relationships and this book started directly when the last one ended and I think to get the full enjoyment from the novel you do need to read book 1. However, I do thank Netgalley for giving me the novel in exchange for an honest review. That is the negative...it is all uphill from there! I think this is every contemporary romance reader's holy grail. It has something for everyone: Action, suspense, twists, reunions, revenge, light BDSM and so much heat it will burn your house down. Mix all these wonderful traits with an intensity and chemistry of the two main characters and Lauren Smith has another hit on her hands. LS writes in several genre's and does then all with excellence. Her writing style is easy to read and her characterizations take a good book and make it a great book. I have to be honest I had no idea who the villain was until it was disclosed in the storyline. I also enjoyed the fact that the relationship angst was kept to a minimum but the emotional connection was still very apparent. The book was fast paced and over before you were ready. LS does know how to get you to buy the next book in her series. I'm one fan girl who needs to stalk her until the next book is released cause I just have to know what happens with the next couple. Ok, I know I mentioned the book had heat but I need to emphasize the chemistry between Fenn and Hayden...it was boiling hot, so hot that the lid blew off the pot and landed across the room making the room soooo steamy you thought it was smoke hawt! If you are looking for a series that will give you everything you need in a romance novel the Surrender series is the one for you. I am going to go back and read book one, then reread this one before the next book comes out. I give this a 4 star read for me and a t'irla you *have* to read this on the beach this summer recommendation. Just remember Gilded Cuffs first Gilded Cage next...and don't forget your fan, you will need it.

Friday, June 26, 2015

I went into the book not really knowing what to expect as Katie Ashley is a new to me author. The story grabbed me right away with the prologue or as I called it "Willow Background". This was gritty and intense, it started the story off dark and edgey and I was all in for that. Then the book actually started and it had some violence and a near rape but didn't have that darkness and grit it promised from the prologue. Deacon and Alex were a "nice" couple when they finally made it there and I liked them as characters for the most part. Yes they were polar opposites and that seemed to work for them. Willow, Deacon's daughter was adorable, I looked forward to every scene she was in.... The story itself was fairly typical but KA's characters did set the book apart from so many that are out there now.... I had a couple of issues...I found the character swing in Deacon from hard, unfeeling, rude and gritty to sweet and tender, caring and loving gave him a bipolar feel that came across as not really believable. On a similar note this motorcycle club was a bit too nice, too easy going and again did not live up to the grit that the beginning of the book promised. It sounds like I didn't like the book, but I don't want to mislead you I totally enjoyed the book. I had it on my MP3 player and listened to it all day avoiding as much interruption as possible. The characters just seem to latch on to me and not let go.. I loved the secondary characters of Momma Beth, Rev, Bishop and Archer and I was completely bought into them and had to see how everything turned out. The epilogue gave us the usual wind-up however it did sort of cliffhanger as an introduction into the next novel in the series. For me this was a strong 3.5 star read, rounding up to 4...if you are a biker fan I would definitely give this book a read. It is full length which on it's own in this sub-genre is unusual and well worth the read.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

FOUR WEEKSI've never been so hopeful as when I board the pristine glass elevator at the M4 corporate building. A handful of employees ride along with me, murmuring perfunctory greetings to each other and to me. I think my mouth must be on vacation because I can’t seem to force it to speak. But I smile in reply—my smile nervous, nervous but hopeful, definitely hopeful. My riding companions step out on their floors one by one until I’m alone, riding up to the executive floor on my own.Toward him. Toward the man I love. My body is raging. My blood is pumping—my blood is storming—my thighs are shaking. My stomach feels filled with little earthquakes that just won’t quit, then they turn into a full-fledged roil when I hear the elevator ting at his floor. Stepping out, I’m in corporate nirvana, surrounded by sleek chrome and pristine glass, marble and limestone floors. But I hardly have eyes for anything except the tall and imposing frosted glass doors at the far end of the room. Framing those doors to each side is a pair of sleek designer desks, for a total of four. Behind these desks are four women in identical black-and-white suits, sitting behind their gleaming dark-oak desks, working quietly behind their flat-screen computers. One of them, the forty-year-old Catherine H. Ulysses—right hand of the man who owns every inch of this building—stops what she’s doing when she sees me. She arches her brow, then seems both tense and relieved as she lifts the receiver on her desk and murmurs my name into it. I. Am. Not. Breathing. But Catherine doesn’t miss a beat as she motions me toward the huge frosted doors—those intimidating doors—that lead into the lair of the most powerful man in Chicago. The human being with the most powerful effect on me. This is what I’ve been waiting for, for four weeks. This is what I wanted when I left a thousand messages on his phones and what I wanted when I wrote a thousand others that I left unsent. To see him. For him to want to see me.

But as I force myself to step forward, I don’t even know if I’ll have the strength to stand before him and look him in the eye after what I did. I’m wracked so hard with nervousness and anticipation and hope—yes hope, small but bright, even as I shake like a leaf. Catherine holds the door open, and I struggle to hold my head high and walk into his office. Two steps inside I hear the swoosh of the glass door shutting behind me and my systems halt at the familiar sight of the most beautiful office I’ve ever been in. His office is all vast marble and chrome, twelve-foot ceilings, and endless floor-to-ceiling windows. And there he is. The center of its axis. The center of my world. He’s pacing by the window, speaking into a headset in a low, low voice—the kind he uses when he’s pissed. All I can make out are the words have to be dead to let her fall into his clutches … He hangs up, and as if he feels me in the room, he turns his head. His eyes flare when he sees me. His green eyes. His achingly familiar, beautiful green eyes. He inhales, very slowly, his chest expanding, his hands curling a little at his sides as he looks at me. I look back at him. Malcolm Kyle Preston Logan Saint. I just walked into the eye of the most powerful storm of my life. No. Not a storm. A hurricane. Four weeks, I haven’t seen him. And he still looks exactly as I remember. Larger than life, and more irresistible than ever. His striking face is perfectly shaven today, and his sensual lips look so achingly full I can almost feel them against mine. Six-feet-plus of perfectly controlled male power stand before me, in a perfect black suit and a killer tie. He’s the very devil in Armani; strong-boned, square-jawed, gleaming dark hair and those penetrating eyes. He’s got the best eyes. They twinkle mercilessly when he teases me, and when he doesn’t tease me, they’re mysterious and unreadable, assessing and intelligent, keeping me guessing about his thoughts. But I had forgotten how cold those eyes used to be. Green arctic ice looks back at me now. Every fleck of ice in those eyes gleaming like diamond shards. He clenches his jaw and tosses the headset aside. He looks as approachable as a wall, his shoulders stretching his white shirt, which clings to his skin like a groupie. But I know he’s not a wall; I’ve never wanted to throw myself at a wall like this. He’s walking towards me. Every step he takes makes my heart pound as he moves with that quiet and confident own-the-world stride of his. He stops a few feet away and shoves his hands into his pants pockets; and he seems so big all of a sudden, and he smells so utterly good. I drop my eyes to his tie as the little candle of hope I walked in with starts to flicker with doubt.

The unexpected love story that began in MANWHORE continues heating up the pages in MANWHORE +1 by New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans...Billionaire playboy? Check.Ruthless businessman? Check. Absolutely sinful? Check.Malcolm Saint was an assignment. A story. A beautiful, difficult man I was supposed to uncover for a racy exposé.I intended to reveal him, his secrets, his lifestyle--not let him reveal me. But my head was overtaken by my heart and suddenly nothing could stop me from falling. I fell for him, and I fell hard.Malcolm Saint is absolute Sin, and I've become a hopeless Sinner.Now that the assignment is over, Saint wants something from me--something unexpected--and I want this wicked playboy's heart. But how can I prove to the man who trusts no one that I'm worthy of becoming his plus one?

Blurb:Dimpled smile of a boy Hard body of a man Sings like an angel Fucks like the devil

I was stuck between a rock(star) and a hard place.

At fifteen, his poster hung on my bedroom wall. At twenty-five his body hovered over mine. Every girl’s fantasy became my reality. I was dating a rockstar. Yet I was slowly falling for another man. The problem was—the two men—they shared a tour bus.

Flynn Beckham was the opening act. Dylan Ryder was the headliner.

What happens when the opening act begins to shine so bright, it seems to dim everything else in its wake?

I’ll tell you what happens. Things get ugly.

Excerpt (New for Tour)Getting through Flynn singing is incredibly hard. The way his throat moves, the way his mouth caresses each syllable of the low, raspy sound that falls from his lips. I should be watching his posture, his breathing, the way his larynx forces out the words—but instead I’m focused on the beauty of his mouth and how the sound of his voice glides over my body, making it feel both warm and tingly at the same time. I’m lost when the song finishes, yet I haven’t really observed him yet.“So. Give it to me straight. What am I doing wrong?”Ummm…absolutely nothing from what I can see. Everything was perfect. Don’t change a thing. Shit. “Could you do it again? Maybe a different song, one you haven’t sung in a while. So the sounds are less familiar to your body.

Sometimes that can give me a different view.”

At least I make it sound like a real thing when the words come out. He sings again, and this time I force myself to observe. “Hmm…your posture is great. Most people have a tendency to favor one side of their neck, which makes them tilt a bit when they speak, and it becomes magnified when they sing, which puts strain on the muscles around the vocal cords. Your alignment is perfect.”“Thank you, it goes with the rest of my perfectness,” he says with a teasing arrogance that, from the little I know about him, I know isn’t real.“You didn’t let me finish.”

“You can’t now tell me I’m not perfect. I was already basking in the glow.”“Actually, it was perfect…but almost a little too perfect. Which makes me think you don’t usually stand this way when you sing.”“It isn’t the way I normally sing. On stage, I usually have a guitar over my shoulder. Even if I’m not playing it, it’s there.”“Well, I need to see you holding your instrument to assess you fully, then.”Flynn’s eyebrows quirk up and the dirty grin on his face is unmistakable. “The guitar. I’d need to see you holding the guitar.”“That’s a shame.” He shrugs, the playful smile still on his face. “But okay. It’s your call. Whatever instrument you want to see me hold is fine with me.”“How big of you.”

“So now we’re talking about the other instrument again?”I roll my eyes, although this conversation is having more of an effect on me than I let on.

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Monday, June 22, 2015

I wasn't sure what to expect with this title and I admit it kind of put me off a bit however, I do love Katy Evans her Real Series is one of my favs. So I decided to listen to it on Audiobook and the narrator was wonderful. This book was much better than I expected from the title and everything I expected from Katy Evans. KE has a wonderful talent for writing the best alpha males. In this outing her alpha is a uber rich slightly damaged billionaire who does what he wants and apologizes to no one. Yes, if you just look at the surface he could be a Christian or a Gideon but Saint is man unto himself. Unique in the way Katy Evans creates all her heroes. This book is very much driven by Saint's characters. His heroine Rachel's actions are actually reactions to his behaviours directly. Every scene in the book is artfully written around this broody, difficult, sexy alpha. Rachel is different altogether she is supposed to be driven and ambitious, a self assured workaholic who lives for her job and promotions. I think she misses the mark a bit here. Rachel is too nervous, blushes too easily, doesn't really appear to have the temperament and backbone to project who she is supposed to be. I also thing her character goes off the rails a bit with her wanting to help others and her social awareness.All this being said the characters have a depth and intensity that make you connect with them, feel with them and the chemistry between the two just jump off the pages. The writing is solid and storyline well planned out. I know the premise is predictable we have been reading it for years. I think Harlequin based 1/2 their novels on it during the 70's but KE makes it new and fresh making the story come from a different place even though the experiences may be the same the characters are not and their reactions are as unique as their characters. I really enjoyed that it wasn't insta sex and insta love but a sexual awareness that grabbed but was not acted on immediately. I think Saint and Rachel sleeping in the same bed and not having sexy was one of the more intense scenes I have read in a while. The couple of nit picky things that bugged me and caused me not to give that final star are first the blushing...enough with the blushing already, yes she has pale skin, I guess she is easily aroused and gets embarrassed easily but how many times does it need to be pointed out. Second is Gina, Rachel's room-mate and best friend...yes friend, not mother. How Gina treated Rachel and pushed her because she herself had a bad experience really got on my nerves. I can't wait for her and Tahoe's book so she can be put in her place.I have to give 4.5 stars to this sexy, intense, alluring novel and to be honest the ending of the novel gets a 5 star. I can't wait for the next book to come out. Katy Evans has created her own niche in a market full of angst, brooding males and naive females her unique writing style and character creations bring her to the top of the barrel. I give this a high recommendation put it on your Easter weekend must read list now.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

I have loved this series since book one 'Rule' and not a single Marked Men novel has let me down. Asa the book which is ending this marvellous series is no different. Asa not only gives us Asa and Royal's story but also helps us catch up with the other couples from the series so we as readers can rest assured that the HEA from all the previous books is continuing on into the future. I really loved that Jay Crownover did that...it gave me some closure on the series so that I don't feel adrift now that it has ended. I have read several reviews where the reviewers did not like Asa as much as the other books in the series. I disagree with them entirely. Asa is a different kind of book with very different characters. There was no way JC could have made Asa another Rule, Rome or Nash his background and past just would not lend to that type of character. Same with Royal, as a police officer her view of the world would be much different than our other heroines, slightly Jaded, more worldly and a bit harder around the edges. She is definitely a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. I totally enjoyed that it was Royal who did the chasing and turned the tables on the hero/heroine dimension totally. I liked that she wasn't put off by Asa's background and she gave him the benefit of the doubt when it came to him remaking himself. Asa was very aware of who he is and who he was and that the was could very easily come back and bite him in the butt. I liked how he didn't chase Royal but let her call the shots. I understand the "lie" and can see how he was caught between a rock and a hard place. I think that not telling her was a selfless act of love and made her decide whether she truely loved him and could be with him knowing that there is something that she just doesn't know. I kinda felt that Royal was a bit TSTL because if she thought about it she would know who it involved and could have pestered that person for answers. All in all a great ending to a favorite series. Thank you Jay Crownover for many hours of enjoyable reading and for giving us all the information on our beloved Marked Men so we can happily put them to bed! I look forward to your next series. This book was a 4.5 star read for me. The Series for me is a 5 star series and one that is on my favourites shelf so I can reread when I"m in a book slump. If you haven't met the Marked Men then you are missing out on some of the sexiest alpha men in contemporary romance today.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

A note from t'irla: I discovered this UF with romance series last year and really enjoyed it. If you are a fan of Kate Daniels, or Mercedes Thompson I do recommend you give this series a try!

Like the Energizer bunny this story takes off with chapter 1 and keeps on ticking right to the end...What an action packed novel. Thanks Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm a fan of this series. There are not many urban fantasy series that have enough romance in them to keep my attention but Jessica McClain is certainly one of them. I have likened this series to Kate Daniels before and I still think it has that feel about it, the hint of romance, the action packed adventures these series give me everything I'm looking for in UF. Once again Amanda Carlson has our heroine Jessica getting into to more trouble with her team of sidekicks than any female werewolf has a right to survive. If you have read any other books in the series and loved them this book will not disappoint. In many ways this novel is the ending of a story ARC and gives us a hint on what to expect from future novels. I for one can't wait! I hope AC will write faster the wait is much too long in between books. If you haven't met Jessica, Roarke and the team you really MUST> Each of these characters seem to get their own little sub story within the main story of the novels. I love seeing secondary romances form and seeing these characters grow. In this novel we have a vampire/werewolf love story that unexpectedly happens. Amanda Carlson writes a tight story with amazing characters who you care so much about you actually end up biting your fingernails off while waiting for the outcome, I know I did. In this outing we meet a voodoo goddess who wants a piece of Jessica and this leads to zombie alligators, snakes and ghouls...everything you want in a fast paced UF book. If you get the feeling I enjoyed this book you would be right. I was entertained and left yearning for the next book. I give the novel a strong 4 star rating and a recommendation. If you haven't met Jessica, Roarke, Tyler, Danny, and the rest of the Team you are missing out so go stalk up and take the series to the beach it will make for an enjoyable summer read. Pure Blooded is available for pre-order NOW and will be coming to you June 16, 2015.

BlurbDimpled smile of a boy Hard body of a man Sings like an angel Fucks like the devil

I was stuck between a rock(star) and a hard place.

At fifteen, his poster hung on my bedroom wall. At twenty-five his body hovered over mine. Every girl’s fantasy became my reality. I was dating a rock-star. Yet I was slowly falling for another man. The problem was—the two men—they shared a tour bus.

Flynn Beckham was the opening act. Dylan Ryder was the head-liner.

What happens when the opening act begins to shine so bright, it seems to dim everything else in its wake?

I’ll tell you what happens. Things get ugly.

Excerpt Despite the fact that Lucky had just casually mentioned that the lobby lounge serves coffee beginning at six a.m., I'm pretty sure of myself that she’ll be down there. But when I step off the elevator, the lobby is quiet. Empty. The coffee urns are just being set up in the lounge. I pour two mugs, make them just as we like it, and settle on one of the couches on the far side of the room where it’s private, yet I can still keep an eye on the door.I grab a newspaper and begin to flip through to kill time. Then my eyes catch a pair of pink-painted toes in flip-flops. I don’t know why, but it’s in this moment that I realize, I'm fucked. The sight of her toes makes me smile.I'm falling for another guy’s girl. Something I promised myself I’d never do.But then I reason with myself. I haven’t done anything wrong. Thinking a woman is beautiful and spending time with her doesn't have to turn into anything, right? They’re just toes after all. But look how cute they are. I’ve never been a foot guy, yet I wouldn't mind sucking… Stop. Just stop. We’re just friends.

Because I've been friends with so many hot women in the past and not fucked them? Yep. I'm screwed. I need to get the hell out of here. “Good morning,” she whispers and smiles down at me. My eyes lazily travel up from her toes. I'm totally not going anywhere.I hold up her mug of coffee. And then I realize she still has the thin shirt she wears to sleep on and I'm eye-level with the sexiest taut nipples I’ve ever seen. Screw sucking her toes… “Certainly is.” I grin.

Want More??? Here is another Excerpt!

Ten minutes later I’m still alone behind the bar and Avery is nowhere to be found. I’m sure she’s in the back alley smoking, even though she swears every day that she’s quit. I check the IDs of three very young-looking pretty girls—they’re over twenty-one, but barely. I can’t miss their conversation.“Seriously, he has to be gay.”

“Why, because he hasn’t noticed you yet?”“No, because he’s too perfect to be straight.”“Could we buy someone a drink?” one of the young blondes asks me.“Of course. What do you want me to send over?” They giggle for a few minutes, then decide on a Screaming Orgasm for their intended target. I mix the vodka, Bailey’s and Kahlua and pour it over a tumbler of ice. “Okay. Who’s the lucky recipient?”All three of them point to the other end of the bar and say in unison, “Him.”Lord. That is one beautiful man. The three blondes were clearly not the only ones to notice. The brunette next to him with her full boobage on display is giving him her rapt attention when I walk over. Yet I feel his eyes on me as I walk down the long bar. I’m used to being hit on. Men seem to find an attractive woman whose sole purpose is to deliver them alcohol an alluring combination. They tend to become even bolder after tossing back a few drinks.Halfway down the bar, I stop to refill a beer for a patron. I don’t need to look up as I pour to know Beautiful Man is still watching me. The hair on the back of my neck is all the confirmation I need. He never takes his gaze off me, even when I turn, catch his eyes, and silently call him on his staring. “I'm here to deliver you a Screaming Orgasm.” Damn, he’s even hotter up close. Sandy-brown, shoulder-length hair tousled just the right amount to make him look like he’s just gotten laid. Long, lean torso, tattoos on his forearms peeking out from his long-sleeve fitted shirt. Nice. Then he smiles. Dimples. Yep. He definitely just got laid.“Thank you. But I have a ladies-first policy.” He winks.

I stare at him for a moment, then drop my eyes down to the drink, leading him to follow. “Oh. You meant the drink.” He smirks—it’s sexy as hell, and he knows it.I roll my eyes, but there’s a reluctant smile hidden just beneath the surface. “It’s from the three barely legal ladies down at the end.” I nod in their direction and all three smile broadly and wave.“Well, that’s disappointing.”I arch an eyebrow. “Those three women buying you a drink with a name that tells you what their plans are for you later is a disappointment?”“I thought you were buying me the drink.” Cheesy, I know, but there’s a flutter in my stomach nonetheless. “Sorry. But you get the Double-mint triplets as a consolation prize.” I shrug, trying to come off nonchalant, and turn to walk away. This close to him, the guy is making me fidget. It’s a big bar, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like we’re in a confined space.“Wait,” he calls after me, and I turn back. “What’s your name?”I smile and point at the sign over the bar. Lucky’s.

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

I saw this book listed on Netgalley and loved the cover...Yes, I have a thing for awesome abs *grin* and thought I just have to read this novel so I requested it and was lucky enough to be given a copy for an honest review. Then I noticed it was book 3 in a series and well yes, I'm a bit OCD when it comes to reading books in order so I just *had* to get books 1 and 2 (see those books for my reviews). I was snared in book 1 Alex and caught by book 2 Garrett, I found I really enjoy well written sport romances, especially ones such as these that have some depth in the plot and fluid storytelling. For those of you who haven't been "spoiled" by reading other reviews I won't go into a lot of detail on the plot and how the romance all came about because at the end of Garrett I know Zach was with Gina. I enjoyed getting into Zach's head but I found that at 75% he still would not admit his feelings I was beginning to worry but Sawyer didn't let me down the ending was wonderful. Kate our heroine was great a wonderful contrast to our intense Zach. She is more laid back yet very plucky and "adorkable" and although at times she came across as confident she was actually quite insecure. Over all I was completely submerged plot and that is great storytelling at it's finest. 4 glittering stars for this wonderful sports romance and a recommendation. I know I will be following this series and checking out more os Sawyer Bennett's work. Zach will be released TODAY so make sure you one click it today and make this your first summer read of 2015!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

I'm a huge fan of Sarah Castille and was excited to get approved by Netgalley to receive and ARC in exchange for an honest review. SC didn't let me down! This is the second book in the Sinner's Tribe series and it give us more grit, a deeper storyline and although we met the characters in book 1 this book can be read as a stand a long as well. The plot is a simple one and very much a sign of our times. (view spoiler) Sounds tame right?? Well, you would be wrong Beyond the Cut gives us a gritty, edgy story that paints the picture of how not all MCs are the same. The chemistry between the two main characters is off the charts and that combustion is what brings the story from an good read to a great read. SC builds put this tension by using dual POVs so that we can feel both character's emotions and see what is going on in their minds. In our heroine Dawn we see she has learned from her past and has grown as a woman, she is determined not to make the same mistakes and this gives the relationship a delicious back and forth the relationship doesn't hit stable ground until we are further in the book and the characters get to know each other better. Yes Jimmy, Dawn's ex brings a darkness and grittiness to the story but not to the level of Susan Fanetti or Madeline Sheehan. For readers who want a taste of darkness but not the graphics of these other authors this will definitely be a MC story for you. Cade is a rough tough character with the protective side we love in our nasty biker alphas. He is in the "life" for a reason and he stands by that reason. I really like the fact that the whole MC didn't really get involved in the relationship for the most part the main characters sorted it out themselves. SC did give Cade a sense of humanity that we don't always see in Biker genre novels and I really enjoyed that difference and I think it allowed SC to builds the sexual tension to a much higher heat and also allow us to connect better with Cade. Sarah Castille's novels are always well written and you always get exactly what you expect from her and sometimes more. Beyond the Cut I feel is a better book than Rough Justice so I can't wait to read book 3 in just a few months. This books gets a strong 4 star rating from me and a high t'irla recommendation if you are looking for a Biker Romance with some grit but not over the top. You must add it to your summer TBR list now.